MasterCard and Interpublic Group of Cos.' McCann-Erickson New York teamed up with Matt Groening and 20th Century Fox in this spot featuring everyone’s favorite irresponsible father. Somehow it's charming when Homer values beer above family, unlike those Bud Light guys ("Pencil Pusher," "Satin Sheets").

Ad Age ad critic Bob Garfield approved:

Genius meets genius. Homer Simpson, star of the greatest show in TV history, illustrates in his inimitable way what really matters. Priceless.

MasterCard was an intermittent presence in the Super Bowls of the the 2000s, also appearing in 2001 ("Auction" "Old Friends"), 2005 ("Icons") and 2006 ("MacGyver," "Marathon Man"). As often happened in other years, its 2004 execution went up against a commercial from rival Visa ("Snowball").

The Simpsons weren't one-and-done either: They starred in Coca-Cola's 2010 Super Bowl ad by Wieden & Kennedy, "Hard Times."

Agency producer: Sam Cernichiari. Executive creative director: Joyce King Thomas. Creative director: Tim Dillingham. Copywriter: Robert Frost. Production company: Film Roman.

BRAND: MasterCard

YEAR: 2004

AGENCY: McCann-Erickson

SUPERBOWL: XXXVIII